Just diagnosed with HER2+ positive Breast Cancer

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  • Cricutcat
    Cricutcat Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2019

    Hello tadover,

    I love your necklace! So very great that you are cancer free! Thank you for telling and sharing a picture of your necklace that speaks volumes. I am glad you did so well during your chemo treatments. Gives me hope that I will be able to do well too.

    Thank you xx


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2019

    Cricutcat,

    No, unfortunately I don't live near the ocean. I live in Ohio. But I LOVE the ocean and we try to go once a year. So that's why I use the name Oceanbum. I used to try to use the name Beachbum but it was always taken. So I switched to Oceanbum and it's almost always available. Lol

    And yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. My husband was my rock through it all and continues to be. I don't know how I could have made it without him. It's great that you have your husband to help you and for you to lean on. That's so important. I'm glad my story has inspired you. That's what I want to do. I want to help and inspire those who are where I was a short time ago. Message me any time!!

    tadover,

    I LOVE your necklace!! I bought this one from Choose Hope. I decided to be very optimistic and bought all of the numbers up to 20 years!! Even though right now I can only wear 1 year. Lol

    image

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  • Cricutcat
    Cricutcat Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2019

    Oceanbum,


    Your necklace is awesome too! I love that you bought all the year charms! I hope I can do that for myself in the near future. I am sorry you don't live by the ocean. I am two miles from the ocean and I never go. I like the woods and redwoods. No redwoods trees here. lol My husband is from MI.

    You are an inspiration and very kind! The other ladies in this group have been wonderful as well. I hope I will be in the position eventually to inspire someone too. Thank you for the offer to message you Oeanbum, that is very kind. I am going to take you up on it too.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2019

    Thank you for your kind words!! You will be an inspiration to someone very soon!! Just you wait and see!! And please do take me up on the offer!! By the way, my name is Becky.

    Please keep us updated on how your appointment with the oncologist goes next week.

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  • RobynS4
    RobynS4 Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2019

    Cricutcat...I too am stage 1, her2+ grade3. Are you er/pr positive or negative? This will determine your treatment plus depending on the size of your tumor.

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  • Alicethecat2
    Alicethecat2 Member Posts: 105
    edited January 2019

    Cricutcat

    Yes, absolutely free of cancer. I have an annual blood test that is accurate for me re cancer markers.

    I feel that Herceptin was the game-changer for me. Thank you Dr Slamon.

    Hoping for the same for you.


    Alice x

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  • Cricutcat
    Cricutcat Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2019

    Hi RobynS4,


    I am ER+/PR-, HER2+. My tumor is 1.5 cm. At least it was when this whole thing started. Preliminary DX on 11/28/2018. Then confirmed 2 weeks ago. Finally seeing the oncologist Tuesday. The holidays really put a slow down on everything. The anxiety of it all is getting to me. How are you? Is your treatment going oaky? Everything I have read looks the treatment is close to the same for most. With the Herceptin drug requiring a full year. I am trying to stay calm about it all but failing miserably.

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  • Cricutcat
    Cricutcat Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2019

    Alice,

    That so fantastic you are cancer free now!! So a blood test you take every year gives you all the information you need, in reference to the cancer you had? Bless you for all you went through. I admire you and anyone who has the strength and courage to get through it all. Thank you for the kind thoughts. I hope I can do it too. xx

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2019

    Cricutcat, has there been any updates? Just wondering if you have seen the oncologist yet and have a plan set. Been thinking of you and praying for you!

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  • Cricutcat
    Cricutcat Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2019

    Hello Oceanbum,

    Yes, I saw the oncologist. I feel pretty crappy about it all. She said chemo, not sure yet how long, she is waiting for the results once I get the lumpectomy. A year of Herceptin and radiation after. So many doctor appointments.

    I am still in the angry stage I guess. I want to ignore it all and take my chances. I am trying to feel grateful that is was found early; just can't get there yet.

    Thank you for checking on me. I hope you are doing good. With all this cold weather everywhere. I wish you could get to a warm beach.

    xx

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2019

    I understand totally about the angry stage. I was there, too! I still get angry sometimes. I went through denial, anger, depression, more anger, more denial, more depression, etc. It seems like it was a never ending cycle. But you'll get through this! I'm so sorry that you have to go through chemo & radiation. I didn't have radiation. They sent me for the consultation but found after my surgery that I wouldn't need it. I did have the year of Herceptin following my surgery. And yes, so many doctor appointments. It does get overwhelming! But you will find a strength that you don't even know you have. You can and you will get through this! You have all of us here to help you!

    Yes, I am doing well. All this snow over the weekend was no fun!! And they are predicting a possibility of more this coming weekend depending on what the temperatures do!! So, yes...I wish I could get to a beach somewhere, too!! My family is talking about heading south to a Florida beach this summer. Starting to make our plans!! It's SO exciting!! I can't wait!!

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  • RobynS4
    RobynS4 Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2019

    Cricutcat...I too am stage 1, grade 3, Her2+ and also hormone negative. Tumor was 1.4cm. Nodes and margins were clear thankfully.Had a mastectomy and now starting chemo. Originally my Oncologist wanted me on TCHP which is a pretty harsh regimen however, I researched everything and found that weekly taxol for 12 weeks which is a lower dose chemo along with herceptin, every 3 weeks for a year is every bit as effective as TCHP without the severe side effects. My oncologist actually agreed and humbled himself when I handed him my research! We have to be our own advocates. I wish you all the best!

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  • Cricutcat
    Cricutcat Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2019

    Hello RobynS4,

    Thank you for sharing your treatment plan. I also searched and found some information on possibly getting the taxol therapy for 12 weeks. That is great that your oncologist listened and had an open mind to what you requested. You sure are right about trying to be our own advocates. I am ER+ along with the HER2+ so I am not sure how that will affect my choices or options of chemo drugs.

    I hope your treatments are going well. Thank goodness your margins and nodes were clear!

    Healing hugs to you!


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  • MastersSwimmer
    MastersSwimmer Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2019

    Hi All,

    Glad I found this message board...I'm glad to know I'm not the only one in this boat. Lots of encouragement and hope...Thanks!

    One year ago I found a lump under my armpit. Lymph node tested positive for breast cancer. Tested and came back HER2 positive, stage 2A. Since then I started chemo March 26th. 6 rounds that ended July 11th. If you have an open mind and a positive attitude, I found the chemo was not bad...it had a purpose to save my life. I also had a shave-down party for my hair, like we did before a big swim meet. That was fun!

    In August, I opted for a double mastectomy with no radiation. Both oncologist and radiologist stated that that they were not certain I would need it. After the chemo, all of the lymph nodes that they took were negative for cance...so I opted out of radiation. I actually had implants at the same time as my mastectomy, which was a B. That took a couple of weeks to get out of pain, but totally worth it. Tomorrow I go in for a fat transfer surgery. The implants look like implants in my chest (wrinkly) as they took out all my tissue...so that should be interesting.

    My advice and encouragement is to embrace this bump in the road. This process doesn't last forever (I hope) and know that it will be the best thing you ever did. I feel stronger and more enlightened by knowing that I'm learning and teaching lessons.

    Also, just a word of the wise. I make goals every year and they all came true...just not in the way I wanted. HA

    Goals: 1). Boob job, 2). Not working as much, 3). Hanging out and catching up with friend 4). Meditate and relax more and lastly, 5). Shave my crouch (HA)

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2019

    Hi there, MastersSwimmer! Welcome to our community, and thank you so much for sharing your story! Your attitude and positivity are inspiring, and we hope you find as much support her as you've already given.

    The Mods

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2019

    Hi MastersSwimmer! Welcome! I'm glad you found us though I'm sorry you have to be here.

    My story is very similar to yours. Although I didn't find a lump. They found a mass in my right breast during my annual mammogram. Then MRI detected a mass in the left breast, too. I had a chemo, no radiation, BMX with reconstruction and fat grafting. Your attitude is fantastic!! It helps so much to have a great attitude to help get through this journey that we didn't ask to be on.

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  • Riley669
    Riley669 Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2019

    Hello all, I've just been diagnosed with HER2+ idc in my rt breast on 1/4. Still unsure of the stage but is grade 2. My MRI this past week did not show any other areas and 1 small node in the armpit may or may not be involved. Also still waiting on my brca results which will help determine what surgery I'll have. I'm hoping to find out Monday if I'll be doing chemo before or after surgery.

    I agree about them being in no hurry. I had my mammogram in Sept. just before my 50th b-day.

    Sorry I dont have much info on what's going on but I wanted to jump in and get my feet wet with others that's going through the same. I have wonderful friends but they just don't understand.


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  • Cricutcat
    Cricutcat Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2019

    Hello Riley669,

    I am sorry about your diagnosis. It stinks I know. Everyone in this group is very kind and helpful. I just got diagnosed recently myself. Still trying to put it all together. Maybe we can help each other? I don't know why doctors drag their feet so much. You said you had your mammogram in September, you just found out? Did they have you do a repeat mammogram and a ultrasound? Then the biopsy? I was originally going to get my surgery at the end of Janurary. They decided to do the brca testing so now I have to wait for those results on the 12th of February, surgery on the 18th. That is good that you got an MRI. I am hoping to get one. I have really good friends and a solid support system. But like you, I feel that they don't really understand. I am still pretty angry about finding out about my cancer. As I am sure most people say the same as me, I was really healthy until I found out about the cancer. When someone says, well the treatment will cure you and you can go on with your life. I want to say, but I was already my living life.
    Let us know what you find out with your testing and your treatment plan. I can't really give too much advice but I am always willing to listen. Sending you a hug.Take Care, xxCricut Cat
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  • Riley669
    Riley669 Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2019

    Hello Cricut Cat, Thank you so much! Yes I live in a small town and had my mammogram in Sept. then went back in Oct. for the additional mammogram pics and ultra sound. After we got those results my primary sent me to a specialist in Dallas for my biopsy. She was unable to do it because of where it's located so she referred me to a awesome radiologist that was able to do it. Since I'm now with the specialist everything is moving faster but still not fast enough for me. :) Needless to say I will only be dealing with the Drs in Dallas.

    It was like a gut punch when I got the dx since nobody seemed to concerned before the biopsy. It's taken me a couple of wks to absorb it all and my biggest fears are losing my hair, being put under because I've never had any surgeries before and last but not least a recurrence and losing the battle. I have plans to live to be 100 and I'm only 1/2 way there. ;)

    God Bless you and you can reach out to me anytime!!



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  • MCBaker
    MCBaker Member Posts: 1,555
    edited January 2019

    My star-studded mammo was Sept 24. My biopsy was Oct 3, My MRI was Oct 24. My mastectomy was Nov 16. My port was placed Dec 18. My first chemo was Dec 19. I have close access to one of the best oncology departments in the country. There needs to be better access for people living in extremely rural areas. Especially for people with something like HER2+ My KR preference was denial, due to doctors poking and prodding and biopsying righty for years.

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  • Riley669
    Riley669 Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2019

    Hello MCBaker, I am fortunate I'm only about an hour away from Dallas. I really dont trust the drs up here in my little town with anything serious. I've seen and heard of them doing really stupid things.

    I was a little in denial the first couple of wks but now it's all sunk in and I'm ready to fight. I will be having chemo first before any surgeries. I am reliable to have perjeta along with the herceptin since the MRI has shown that the tumor is 2 cm.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2019

    Hi Riley669 & McBaker!! I'm sorry I have been lazy & haven't welcomed you to the group!! Though I'm sorry for the reason you are here. You will find this to be a very friendly, supportive group. I found so much information here when I was going through all of my treatments & surgeries.

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  • BatyaD
    BatyaD Member Posts: 35
    edited February 2019

    Thank you all for this thread.

    I spoke with my oncologist yesterday and she was trying to reassure me the Taxol + Herceptin won't be as bad as I'm fearing, but you all have calmed me more than she has. I was thinking about avoiding chemo but I might just give it a try. For my situation, the onc said it's only a 6-10% difference in outcome, but maybe I"ll go for that. With the cold-cap.

    I do feel calmer after reading all your comments here.

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  • rajae
    rajae Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2019

    hi bheg79

    happy you found everything doable. i found it doable as well , received neoadjuvant, still have 2 more rounds to go. In my case its not the constipation its actually having to go to the bathroom up to 5 times a day with solid stools(i dont even eat much!) everytime im wondering where did all that big quantity i am evacuating come from !!! :) glad it happens only for 5-6 days .

    im really wondering why my oncologist didnt give me carboplatin along with the 6 rounds of taxotere herceptin and perjeta i am having. Everyone here seems to have had carboplatin included.


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  • rajae
    rajae Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2019

    Hi Cricut Cats! hi you all!

    How did your surgery go / how is chemo going? i really hope you are doing very well ! let us know how all went!

    Cancer in 2019 when discovered at the early stages should be very treatable/curable with the right drugs and very livable at later stages. when we used to hear the word cancer when we were young , we automatically thought of a death sentence. Today as adults 30-40 years later, no such bad connotation should every exist. Cancer isn't something easy yes but lets not forget that diabetes could be worst! and Hey ! please do tell yourself that your condition could've been way worse than it is now! i tell myself i could have gottend killed in a car accident or had a simple cardiac arrest.. so many unexplained cardiac arrest these days on the news. ...

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